Monday, September 12, 2011

Michael at the Toronto 'Shame' Premiere!

It is 1:03 am EST Sept 12th, I just came home about 40 minutes ago after being out TIFFing since 8:15am this morning. Yes, I'm tired, but it is a pleasant exhaustion, and tiredness as a result of adrenaline fading away after a successful screening of 'Shame' where I had close encounters of the Fassbender Kind. Translation: Fassinating Fassbender did a slam dunk in meeting blog obligations and duties. This will just be a quick post to let you know the following. However, before I begin, let me preface that I got a text msg from Jaclyn at 12:26 pm that Michael made it to Toronto in time for Shame that evening. Shit just got real. Needless to say, I needed to do some strategizing to take advantage of this second change of plans. Most people in the audience still didn't know Michael was coming until it was announced on stage.

1. I made it to the front row center, to position myself for great photos and to find the guts to ask a question during the Q&A.

2. 'Shame' is a brilliant film, Michael was very brave to make this film and he will gain 8 million more fans because of his performance in this film. Full review later but for now, I give it an 'A' grade. It is a masterpiece!

3. I took a lot of nice photos of Michael and Steve McQueen onstage, and I got picked by the moderator to ask Michael how did he research the role of sex addict Brandon, which made the audience laugh, and made Michael and Steve laugh and blush. But he gave a very thorough response to my question while looking at me straight in the eye. When he was finished he smiled at me, I smiled back and whispered 'Thank you'. BTW, there was over 2,000 people in the audience.

4. Thanks to Jaclyn and Lindsey for their assistance in securing proper placement in the line, and providing backup photographing/video recording. And it was nice to meet Heather, a fan of the blog who represents the Fassy Chinese Connection at the douban.com interlink.

5. After the Q&A was done - we went to the restroom floating on cloud nine and content that this successful night was complete. The girls depart, and I get ready to get in line for my 4th and final film of the night, which was to be in the same venue, The Princess of Wales. The line was so long, it wrapped around the building. So I walked towards the back, and low and behold, the Fassy Gods weren't finished hooking me up yet. Michael was right there signing autographs and taking pictures! I whip out my camera, and made my way up to the barrier to try to get a photo of him up close. I already have his autograph from 2008, I just wanted close up pictures. Michael is so nice, patient, and courteous to his fans, that he went up and down the barricade twice to fulfill everyone's request. I was amazed that there weren't more people there, but I was not complaining.

By time I made it to the barrier, I didn't think he was going to come back my way, but alas, my polite screams of his name brought his attention and he made his way back up to where I was. After he took a face-to-face fan photo with the dude next to me. I said, 'Hi Michael, I'm Simone from Fassinating Fassbender, the one you had the phone interview with last year'. And he said, 'Oh yes, hi Simone'! And gave me not one, but two kisses, one on each cheek, and I totally gave him a kiss too. I can still feel the soft warmth of his baby ginger beard. He went on to say that he really appreciates what we do here at FF, and he took a picture with me. If I don't turn all shy on ya'll, I'll try to share it later this week when I get home. And after that, he said thanks again, and I said thank you. And just as the TIFF assistant was trying to guide him into the car, I gave him my FF business card - I got them especially made for this hopeful encounter, and he took it and said thanks again with that beautiful and warm Fassy smile.

Mission accomplished! Thank you Michael!

Much more later, but I need to go to bed now! It's exhausting being a Fassinator! xoxo :-)

38 comments:

Alexi
said...

Omg!! LOL I am so jealous! xD That is amazing! Michael took the time to greet all of his fans! :) He would too! I bet he is so jet-lagged. All that traveling! Venice->London->Toronto. Aww I wanna hug him. :)

Simone, I have been checking in all night for any post about Michael and when I got the tweet that you meet him, I knew I had to come here in case you had the energy to write about the encounter before hitting the sack!

The Fassy gods had indeed been smiling on you! Michael made it to Toronto after the whirlwind of Venice and winning the Volpe Copa for best actor, making TIFF more exciting for everyone! I think everyone was holding their breath.

Your Q&A question was brilliant, as was the encounter with Fassy outside the building--a classic "synchronicity" moment (a Jungian term, look it up!).

Thank you for sharing this Simone! I always love reading about your interactions with Fassy and this was no exception, I was grinning from ear to ear while reading. Please post the picture of you with Michael up, it would be a lovely addition to the FF collection of personal Fassy things!

Describe in more detail!! I want to literally dream to what you experienced! lol! What did he smell like?How warm was his skin?You already described his rough ginger scruff <3I want it all!! :)Yes, be sure to post all the pics! Thanks and lucky you Simone!!

I wish I could of heard everyone laughing with your comment. <3 I wanna see him blush. <3

Awww! I was smiling the whole way through. I'm just So happy for you, really. I kept checking to see if his plans changed and i'm glad he made it. That was some great luck on your side. Can't wait to hear more. LOL @ warm baby ginger beard. *_~ Lili

Awwwww baby ginger beard... now I can die happy! I'm so so happy for you, Simone... and you're so lucky, damn it LoL Your question and his answer 'Really?', totally hilarious! I can't wait for the next post :)

Thanks to all of your comments thus far! I'm still in a state of disbelief, but then again, after so much hard work and paying dues, working hard like a slave and being stressed out by real life crap, my Karma cards came into play last night and I'm so extremely pleased and content.

My success is the readers of FF's success, and I thank you all so much for being so supportive and genuinely happy for what I have been able to miraculously accomplish.

I will certainly write in much more detail about the Shame experience, but I'm pressed for time as I have two movies today and the Pearl Jam concert (and find some time to read a chapter for one of my classes).

Hey Elaine, it will be at least a few days before I can post the picture of me and Michael, I reviewed it in my camera and I guess I look again, mind, after by that time, being on my feet for 10 hours. I take humble pleasure in that some of you can live vicariously through my Fassy encounters.

Katie, I don't remember Michael smelling like anything other than just a clean man. But I can still feel his soft baby ginger beard on my face, and his hair has a definite ginger hue - it appears to get redder as it grows longer. He looked just a little itty bit tired, but was full of energy and so darn polite and calm. He has the world at his feet now, and with him taking the next few months off, I'm sure he'll make the most of it.

Dionne and Giorgi, yes, two kisses and he initiated it! LOL! I know it's hard to believe, but I was not seriously fangirling or screaming or anything... He gives the person in front of him his immediate attention, even if it's for 4.7 seconds... he is in your zone, and he in yours. It's a calming effect and not many celebrities possess this charisma.

There were a lot of male fans there who apparently adore him as well - he appreciates all his fans and that's what makes Michael so special.

I'm a pretty new fan. I saw Michael in Jane Eyre and immediately fell in love. I've been trying to watch another of his movies every weekend (Because school is owning my week!)so when I heard about TIFF and Shame, I wanted so badly to go! I live in upstate New York, so I knew I'd be getting back super late, and decided not to go. I am kicking myself now since He showed up! AGH! I will not let another opportunity like this pass in the future! Thanks for keeping us updated, and giving me an opportunity to live vicariously through you! lol

Simone, Heather is my friend and I'm so happy that you guys can meet up together and had this wonderful wonderful experience,watching Shame and asking Michael questions! Thank you so much for sharing it with us!

What I wouldn't give to trade shoes with u for that event!!! To see that bright smile. To die for. Im with Katie, what did he smell like? Just kidding. (No really he's gorgeous I can't help myself but curious lol) I know poor guy last thing he needs are ppl asking what cologne he wears or whatnots.

Thanks for putting in the time and energy to for this site. I don't know what I would do without my daily Fassy fix lol. How do find out all this wonderful information? It great to be able to check up on everything going on thru FF. Keepup the amazing work. Look forward to more pics!

Michael is having such an amazing yr. I am eager to see what else's on the menu for him in the future ( hopefully a vacation of sorts).

Wow what a story, you'll remember it forever! And thanks to your great blog all us Fassinators will as well! :-) I have a ginger man sitting at home, but these stories of Fassy are of a different kind haha

Can't wait to see the pic you got with Michael. If you're uncertain about your own tired looks, making the pic black&white always helps :-) It will do none the worse for Fassy, that's for sure. He'll shine wherever he is.

The screening of Jane Eyre is a few weeks away here in The Netherlands so that'll be the first Fassy installment we'll have until Method and hopefully Shame will come in early spring 2012!! And until then I'll keep enjoying and grinning at your great posts and pics here on FassFass!

WOW Simone, I envy you xD. You've been very lucky, at first he was not coming to TIFF but then he made it! We are very happy that you had the opportunity to take pictures and he gave you TWO KISSES!! Well, I will be visiting your blog for new posts and I hope you give us all the details :) talk us about the business card you gave him, it made me a bit curious.

YESSS!!! Way to go Simone! so happy for you, all your dedication and hard work coming to fruition. I can't wait to see the pix and hear your thoughts on Shame, I value your critiques. Thanks for FF, it's inspiring to connect and I am looking forward to better and better for Mr. Fassy's future as well as yours. be well always,beth

Hey guys! so many wonderful comments! I just came back after the loud and fantastic Pearl Jam concert, I'm sweaty and my throat is sore from screaming and singing loud with the crowd. But now for Fassy business.

Kelton, YES, there is a gay scene in 'Shame', and it's very frank. I won't spoil it for you, but, this just shows you how honest a portrayal of this character that Michael did. Brandon sought out sexual satisfaction from anything that had a pulse and he can dismiss afterwards.

Elena, thanks for sharing that youtube video, it gives you an idea of what I asked Michael, the audience's reaction, and his comments.

I'm pleased that this quickly written up blog entry made many of you happy to read, that was my goal.

My business card is pretty cool, I will try to scan a copy of one, but for general public posting, I'll cover up my mobile number and address. But it's pretty groovy.

I have two more days here in Toronto, so please bare with me as I watch a few more movies which will cause a delay in my writing a well thought out review of Shame. I will also post my photos, and download the video I took of the Q&A.

And to the anon who is heartbroken that they may not ever meet Michael... don't despair, sometimes you have to go to HIM, in order to meet him. If it's in your ability to do so, then do it. Otherwise, wait till he comes to your area and try to meet him that way.

Thanks Simone. ;) That helped. :)I am trying to make it a personal goal to get to him. I must! My life will not be complete until I do. Although it may take a few years as I am a poor high school student living in Wyoming with nobody and nothing but cows and sagebrush to talk to. :p Los Angeles is the closest place he would go I think? Maybe Salt Lake? :/ Meh, must kick those negative thoughts out! I love your blog to death though! Thank you!! :)

Hi Simone, your question to MF at the conference may have drawn laughs, but my impression is that the film is not exploitative or prurient in its depiction of the sex scenes - or is it? My sense is that the film shows the character's sex addiction graphically and brutally, much like the torture scenes in Hunger. I want to see the film but if I am watching porn, I'll be uncomfortable. Do you know what I mean? Looking forward to your thoughts esp. as to what you think McQueen is saying about our society vis a vis Shame. Thx, b.

"Hi Simone, your question to MF at the conference may have drawn laughs, but my impression is that the film is not exploitative or prurient in its depiction of the sex scenes - or is it? My sense is that the film shows the character's sex addiction graphically and brutally, much like the torture scenes in Hunger. I want to see the film but if I am watching porn, I'll be uncomfortable. Do you know what I mean? Looking forward to your thoughts esp. as to what you think McQueen is saying about our society vis a vis Shame. Thx, b."

I'm glad you asked this question as I want to explain the context of my thoughts in asking about the research. As I was watching the film, there were many types of behaviors and emotions exhibited by Michael's Brandon and he was so convincing in this role, that I wanted to know how Michael researched the characteristics of a sex addict. I wondered if he spoke with Psychologist/Psychiatrists, met with actual sex addicts, read medical journals, did he read internet forums where sex addicts read/post at, etc? But when he explained it as he just really read the script and manifested the angst and desperation of Brandon... whose addiction is similar to a drug addict or an alcohol, someone whose brain is programmed to respond and demand to sexual stimuli almost constantly. Do sex addicts think they have a problem? I'm sure some think they do... and Brandon is quite ashamed of his behavior, but I don't think he knows how to get help.

The sex scenes are explicit... but not like porn where you actually seen penetration, and mind, regardless of being a Fassbender fan or not, this film is ONLY for mature audiences. When it is released, it will have an NC-17 rating and NO one under 17 should see this, and I know after Xmen this summer, Michael has a lot of young fans now, as demonstrated at tumblr.

If you are shy of sex scenes in movies in general, stay away from Shame, it is a very mature and dark film. There were some comic relief comments and actions, but overall, it is a masterpiece film that is about sex addition.

Michael and Steve's comments about the sex addiction in Shame are in regards, I believe, to the constant advertisement of SEX to ALL of us on nearly a daily, hour by hour basis. Even hair shampoos have a sexy allure to it. Comic books have women with size D cups, car commercials have a sex appeal - it's everywhere, yet, sex addiction is not a medical diagnosis or taken seriously, and the very fact that this film has to have a NC-17 rating and no one is brutally murdered in it says a lot about what this American society thinks about sex.

perhaps this response should have been a blog article, but I wanted to answer it as quickly as possible. I hope I answered your question. Thanks!

"Hi Simone, your question to MF at the conference may have drawn laughs, but my impression is that the film is not exploitative or prurient in its depiction of the sex scenes - or is it? My sense is that the film shows the character's sex addiction graphically and brutally, much like the torture scenes in Hunger. I want to see the film but if I am watching porn, I'll be uncomfortable. Do you know what I mean? Looking forward to your thoughts esp. as to what you think McQueen is saying about our society vis a vis Shame. Thx, b."

I'm glad you asked this question as I want to explain the context of my thoughts in asking about the research. As I was watching the film, there were many types of behaviors and emotions exhibited by Michael's Brandon and he was so convincing in this role, that I wanted to know how Michael researched the characteristics of a sex addict. I wondered if he spoke with Psychologist/Psychiatrists, met with actual sex addicts, read medical journals, did he read internet forums where sex addicts read/post at, etc? But when he explained it as he just really read the script and manifested the angst and desperation of Brandon... whose addiction is similar to a drug addict or an alcohol, someone whose brain is programmed to respond and demand to sexual stimuli almost constantly. Do sex addicts think they have a problem? I'm sure some think they do... and Brandon is quite ashamed of his behavior, but I don't think he knows how to get help.

The sex scenes are explicit... but not like porn where you actually seen penetration, and mind, regardless of being a Fassbender fan or not, this film is ONLY for mature audiences. When it is released, it will have an NC-17 rating and NO one under 17 should see this, and I know after Xmen this summer, Michael has a lot of young fans now, as demonstrated at tumblr.

If you are shy of sex scenes in movies in general, stay away from Shame, it is a very mature and dark film. There were some comic relief comments and actions, but overall, it is a masterpiece film that is about sex addition.

Michael and Steve's comments about the sex addiction in Shame are in regards, I believe, to the constant advertisement of SEX to ALL of us on nearly a daily, hour by hour basis. Even hair shampoos have a sexy allure to it. Comic books have women with size D cups, car commercials have a sex appeal - it's everywhere, yet, sex addiction is not a medical diagnosis or taken seriously, and the very fact that this film has to have a NC-17 rating and no one is brutally murdered in it says a lot about what this American society thinks about sex.

perhaps this response should have been a blog article, but I wanted to answer it as quickly as possible. I hope I answered your question. Thanks!

Thx Simone, you def. answered my question & I think if you want to address this in your blog/review of the film, you def. should. when you mentioned the brain programming nature of addiction, I guess that would be my question for MF - did he write/conceive a bio for Brandon that accounts for his addiction, given that his sister's presence sends him into a crises? I don't think the film addresses this because it doesn't want to cater to our need for explanations or psychoanalysis, which I think Americans often use to push away uncomfortable material. I absolutely agree that our society is dysfunctional re: sex, it is used and sold everywhere and yet we don't want to see the consequences of this on people - it sounds like Shame is about that.Sorry for the long post & thx again, I look forward to your reviews of both Method and Shame! b.

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June 3, 2018: After nearly 10 years, Fassinating Fassbender has ceased production of articles covering Michael Fassbender. For the next few years or so, this blog will remain for archival purposes. If you have any questions please email Simone, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, at simonetvc@gmail.com. Future articles will be featured about Michael at my Theatre of Zen blog.

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